Three-hundred and eleven acres of vineyards cover the hill of Hermitage from top to bottom, right up to the border of the town of Tain L’Ermitage and the Rhone river. Part of France’s Northern Rhone region, Hermitage is without question one of the finest red wines of France. It is often compared with First Growth Bordeaux in quality. In fact, back in the 19th century this deep, rich, black wine was used to enrich the less formidable wines of the Medoc.

Located on the east bank, an hour's drive southward along the Rhône river from Côte-Rôtie, the hill of Hermitage is the most famous slope in the wine world. Syrah grown in south-facing vineyards on a mosaic of varying soils produces the most famous, long-lived, and expensive Syrah wines in the world. The finest red Hermitages from such producers as Jaboulet, Chave, Chapoutier, and Delas are darkly hued and feature deeply wrought black fruit flavors with rich tannins. Red Hermitage from a good vintage is a classic cellaring wine that evolves slowly into something that connoisseurs liken to a mature Cabernet Sauvignon.

Smaller quantities of long-lived white Hermitage are produced from Marsanne and Roussanne grape varieties. White Hermitage, a less fashionable wine, can also evolve over many years to become a distinctively nutty, honeyed nectar. (Wine/Appellations)